Michigan Business Beat | Tom Kelly, Automation Alley Reviews Project DIAMOnD Getting Grant Funding

Michigan Business Network

Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Q. Thanks for coming back to talk about Project DIAMOnD. We’ve had you on several times this year to talk about Project DIAMOnD but we understand that you got some very good news related to additional federal funding last week – can you tell us more about that? Yes -- Project DIAMOnD just received $1.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was allocated to us by the state of Michigan. The funding was announced last week by the Michigan Infrastructure Office. In addition, to that, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced that it would contribute $475,000 in new funding and Automation Alley will also contribute $125,000 in new funding. So, in total, that’s an additional $2.5 million. Q. That’s great news. Can you tell us how you are going to use this additional funding? Until now, we have been funded by Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties – but our goal is to expand our network of connected 3D printers to companies across the state. This investment represents an important first step in our vision of scaling Project DIAMOnD statewide to empower small- and medium-sized manufacturers across Michigan. This additional funding will support the expansion of Project DIAMOnD to 100 small and mid-sized manufacturers. We have also committed to using a minimum of 40% of the funding for companies in disadvantaged or underserved communities across the state. Participating companies will have access to the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Program – which opened earlier this earlier this year – and expert assistance at the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills. Q: Can you remind our listeners what that Digital Transformation Center is? Of course! It provides companies access to industrial 3D printing equipment, training and support. The new Digital Transformation Center (DTC) is supported by Geofabrica, an Auburn Hills, Michigan business that specializes in the development of custom 3D printing systems and processes for industrial applications. Through the DTC, Project DIAMOnD companies will have access to additive manufacturing courses, a team of experts, and access to additional 3D printers to test and make products. Q: Let’s take a step back – can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is? Project DIAMOnD stands for distributed, independent, agile manufacturing on demand. It is an initiative powered by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, Michigan. Project DIAMOnD was developed in October 2020 to help Michigan manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation. It was initially funded with $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County. We used that funding to distribute 300 3D printers to small- and mid-size manufacturers at no cost, and to teach them how to use them. Q. If I recall correctly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed her support earlier this year at the Mackinac Policy Conference for the work that Automation Alley and Project DIAMOnD are doing – is that correct? Yes, that’s correct. We held a press conference with the Governor at Mackinac back in May. At the time, she expressed support for our plan to expand statewide. Last weeks’ announcement builds on the governor’s vision to expand the “Infrastructure for Innovation,” shared technology and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses can leverage to grow in Michigan. We are very thankful to Governor for her support and for the state for its support. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/